Penelope Jean

Getting married is a tradition that marks the start of a new life. Planning a green wedding is a continuation of an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Going green is hugely popular right now and the concept of living organically is quickly sewing an environmentally-conscious thread throughout many communities. From recycling to planting to energy monitoring or water conservation, being environmentally conscious…

Most young couples select a few cherished and time-honored traditions for their special day which are dear to their hearts or beliefs. In the 21st century it is becoming more common for brides and grooms to unite traditional wedding customs with a passion for the environment. With any size budget and a little creativity, having an earth-friendly celebration does not…

Going Green With Family Cloth in the Bathroom: Could You Give Up Toilet Paper for the Sake of Greener Living? The latest eco-friendly home trend involves “family cloth” – a term for using machine washable fabric instead of toilet paper. And family cloth isn’t just for hardcore pro-environmentalists anymore – it’s an earth-friendly living trend that’s catching on quickly among…

Green cleaning supplies can save money, improve health, and help the environment. Use simple, homemade environmentally friendly cleaning products to keep the house clean without worrying about high prices and unhealthy effects on children or pets. Some powerful commercial cleaning products makes asthma and allergies worse and can be a danger around small children. These tips for common cleaning issues…

There are so many ways to go green these days. From energy efficient appliances, to phosphate free soaps, to recycling; if you’re looking to go green, there are no shortage of ways to get started. One very popular and inexpensive way to be a little more eco-friendly is through repurposing. Repurposing can be something as simple as repainting an old…

Between now and the big day, there are a number of do-ahead chores that you need to plan to do. Between work, family life and activities, these special chores are likely to be forgotten unless you get organized and get them on your calendar. From polishing silver to pressing linens and from making place cards to thinking about the centerpiece,…

Celebrate an eco friendly and green Christmas. Plan ahead and remember to incorporate reducing, reusing, and recycling in daily habits and lifestyle both during the holidays and year round. Recycle Bins Set up recycling bins before any holiday or christmas party, big or small. The bins need not be the ones given to households by the city; many types of…

Use cloth napkins instead of paper (Shift Your Habit estimates you can save $70 a year and reduce the amount of trash you produce by 40 pounds with this step alone); Don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth; Practice “selective” flushing (you’ll figure out what that means); Bike and walk more, drive less; Start using rechargeable batteries;…

Modern composting techniques have developed from the pioneering work of Sir Albert Howard (1873 -1947) one of the fathers of the organic movement. Sir Albert’s books “An Agricultural Testament” and especially “The Waste Products of Agriculture” demonstrated the value of composting. Sir Albert developed the Indore method named after the Indian State in which he perfected his practice. This method…

It all started seven years ago when Kate MacEachern and Brent Pederson decided to switch the youngest of their four babies to cloth diapers for environmental reasons. They couldn’t find a diaper service in their small community of Sherwood Park (just north of Edmonton, Canada), so they started their own. From the beginning, Happy Nappy was a business with a…